Bob Odneal

July 30, 2004, 10:48AM
Obituary Zenteno, 76, prodigy in trumpet, band leader
By ROBERT CROWE Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

Roberto Zenteno, a Mexican trumpet prodigy who went on to lead popular big bands in Houston for five decades, died Thursday. He was 76. Zenteno checked into a hospital Thursday after having chest pains. He collapsed and died there. Zenteno, who once toured with Perez Prado — known as the King of Mambo in the '50s — performed jazz, salsa, meringue, swing and other genres Thursday nights at downtown's Sambuca Jazz Cafe with his Roberto Zenteno Band. "He's a musical icon here in Houston," said Javier Zenteno, one of Zenteno's five children and drummer for the Roberto Zenteno Band. Born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, Roberto Zenteno grew with up in a creative household. His parents, who were actors and dancers, traveled Mexico with a vaudeville act. Though one of his arms had to be amputated after an accident when he was 5, Zenteno excelled in many activities, Javier Zenteno said. "He started playing baseball young," he said. "He was a killer with one arm, but the doctor told him he had to quit. So he picked up trumpet, and the rest was history." By 13, Roberto Zenteno was performing with a popular Monterrey band that traveled throughout Mexico and the Southwest United States. He met his wife, Elsa, in the 1940s at a bullfight in Mexico. In the 1950s, he began playing at the Rice Hotel and private clubs in Houston until he and his wife decided to move here. "He was the first Latino trumpet player that white people actually used to go see," Javier Zenteno said. "He used to play exclusive clubs for lawyers, celebrities, judges and athletes." Javier Zenteno said people will remember his father for his talent, kindness and humor.

Bob Odneal "What a great person and player."

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Bob Odneal
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